Three Tips To Kick-Start Your Management Career

By Dakota Caudilla

Going from employee to manager is like taking a quantum leap.

Figure out where the future lies and then strategize on how to
achieve a promotion in that direction.

Sometimes it's the most natural way to proceed forward, other
times it takes time, patience and a good deal of planning.
Figure out where the future lies and then strategize on how
to achieve a promotion in that direction.

Tip No. 1: Look forward.

There are many opportunities available to you, but you may
not be able to see them. That's because opportunities
normally aren't there unless you manufacture them. If you
want to move into management you'll have to understand how
you can better contribute to a company in a management role.
Knowing yourself is the key here. You may be a whiz-kid in
your department, but will you be a good manager? Your
technical knowledge and expertise may win you that managing
role, but is that what you really want?

Tip. No. 2: Understand the future.

What seems like a good place to be, may not be once you get
there. The industry changes all the time and by the time you
win your promotion you may find that the 'next big thing' has
shifted and moved in another direction. To avoid missing the
boat, research your industry, speak to managers, read the
papers. Always stay on top of any new developments in your
field of expertise. Figure out where the future lies and then
strategize on how to achieve a promotion in that direction.
You strategy may include more study or training. If so,
there's no time to waste.

Tip No. 3: Build a people network.

Don't be shy. Talk to people. Management is 90%
people-related. It's about communicating and building
relationships. Talking also reveals how passionate you are
about your job. In most cases, it isn't enough to just be
good at your job. People need to know that you are good at
your job and people need to like you being good at your job.
And it's not just enough that your immediate boss likes you,
but your boss's boss and other departmental bosses need to
like you, too. To step up into management you need to have a
reputation that precedes you. So, start talking.

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